LAST TIME OUT for FPD:The Vikings fell to arch-rival Stratford Academy 28-0 on Friday, Oct. 14 at Austin Childers Field at George S. Johnson Stadium.

Stratford’s Tyler Jordan rushed for all four of the Eagles’ touchdowns.

Stratford rushed for 370 yards on the night and the Eagle defense held FPD to 100 yards offense on the night.

Quarterback Dalton Cox was 14-for-26 on the night, throwing for 126 yards and one interception.

LAST TIME OUT for TATTNALL:The Trojans knocked off top-ranked Twiggs County (Class-A Public) last Friday Oct. 14 at Jack Baynes Field 34-27.

The Trojans led 34-13 with two minutes to play in the game, but the Cobras bit back with a 30-yard touchdown pass followed an onside kick recovery that resulted in a Twiggs touchdown from Calvin Stephens to Javoris Smith.

The following onside kick was recovered by Tattnall’s Jimmy Marshall and the Trojans ran out the clock to win the game.

Running back Ahmad Barron rushed for 196 yards on 21 carries for the Trojans with two touchdowns.

Antoine Davis rushed for 109 yards on 14 attempts with one touchdown while Vasco Sanders, Jr. punched in an 11-yard touchdown run.

Tattnall was whistled for 11 penalties for 140 yards.

SERIES HISTORY:Friday’s contest is the 37th meeting between FPD and Tattnall.

On Friday, Oct. 7, FPD pulled away late for a 35-17 win over Wilkinson County.

SATURDAY’S ALRIGHT FOR FIGHTING: A high school football game is usually played on a Friday night, but did you know FPD has an extensive history playing on Saturday’s?

FPD has played a Saturday game in six different seasons in program history: 1973, 1982, 1991, 1992, and 1997 and 2016.

The most Saturday games the Vikings played came in the 1973 season, the first season of competition for the school under former head coach Philip McLeroy.

FPD went 3-1 in 1973 on Saturday’s with home wins against Nathanael Green on Sept. 8 (13-3), Macedonia Christian on Sept. 29 (27-6) and Josey Academy on Oct. 20 (38-0).

The lone loss on Saturday in the 1973 campaign was on Oct. 6 when the Vikings fell on the road at Beachwood Academy 8-0 on Oct. 6

FPD played one Saturday contest under former head coach Bobby Brown.

In 1982, FPD went on the road and defeated Tattnall 23-6 on Oct. 23.

The Mark Farriba era saw two Saturday games for the Vikings in 1991 and 1992.

In 1991, FPD defeated Westwood 22-21 on Nov. 16 followed by a victory a year later against the same opponent, a 22-8 win on Oct. 17, 1992.

The last Saturday game on the gridiron for the Vikings came in 1997 under former head coach Cater Pierce.

It was a GHSA playoff contest vs. John Milledge Academy at home on Nov. 22. The Trojans bested the Vikings 16-13 in the quarterfinal match.

Altogether, FPD is 7-2 in Saturday games after this year’s 34-14 season-opening victory v. Howard at Mercer.

TEAM CAPTAINS: Team captains for FPD have been selected!

Two seniors and one junior will lead the Vikings this season: Seniors – Thomas McBride and E.J. Tobler; Junior – Dalton Cox.

The Class of 2017 football players will serve as the honorary team captains on Friday night against Tattnall Square.

PLAYERS to WATCH for FPD:
— Jr. QB Dalton Cox: Has thrown for 1,365 yards in his first seven starts under center for the Vikings, including nine touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and one interception.

— Jr. RB C.J. Harris: FPD’s leading rusher with 71 carries and 630 yards. Has rushed for five touchdowns, including a 30-yard score in FPD’s 35-17 win over Wilkinson County on Homecoming 2016.

— CB/Returner Robert Johnson: Returned a 90-yard kick-off for a touchdown in last week’s 35-17 win over Wilkinson County. Averaging 10.3 tackles per game with a fumble recovery and interception.

— FPD Defensive Line: Against a “Wing-T” offense, FPD’s offensive line will need to cover all assignments in order to gain control of the game. FPD is averaging 64 tackles per game.

PLAYERS to WATCH for TATTNALL SQUARE:
— RB Ahmnad Barron: Rushed for two touchdowns and 196 yards in last week’s 34-27 region win over Twiggs County on Oct. 14

— RB Antoine Davis: Finished with one touchdown on 14 carries and 109 yards in Tattnall’s 34-17 victory over Twiggs County on Oct. 14.

— Tattnall Offensive Line: Running the Wing-T offense, Tattnall’s offensive line has created plenty of separation for the run game. Over the pat six games, the Trojans have scored at least 34 points in each win.

HOW ‘BOUT THAT 4-0 START for FPD? Since joining the GHSA, the Vikings have never started the season at 4-0.

FPD has started 3-0 twice since joining the league in 2010 — 2014 and 2016.

The 2014 team advanced to the first round of the GHSA Class-A Private State Tournament.

In GISA play, FPD started the season 3-0 its final year in the league in 2009.

44th EDITION:The 2016 season marks the 44th year of FPD Football. The Vikings have delivered countless memories since starting its program in the 1970’s. To date, FPD’s overall program record stands at 317-184-5

126 WINS and COUNTING:FPD head coach Greg Moore picked up his 100th win during the 2012 season with a victory at Hancock Central. Two years later, the skipper earned his 115th victory at the helm after a 31-7 win at GMC Prep on Nov. 7.

Moore is the overall leader in program wins with 126, followed by Mark Farriba (77) and Bobby Brown (72).

2015 a SEASON to REMEMBER:FPD advanced to the GHSA Class-A State Playoffs for a fifth consecutive season before falling at Prince Avenue in the first round.

WELL WORTH THE MOVE:Since joining the GHSA, the Vikings have enjoyed success on the local and statewide level.

FPD has never had a losing season while in the league, posting an overall record of 43-29.

FPD’s best year in the GHSA was in 2011, finishing at 8-3 overall.

HOME COOKING:Since moving to the GHSA in 2010, the Vikings are 20-11 inside the friendly confines of George S. Johnson Memorial Stadium. FPD has won at least three games at home in each season but one (2011) since becoming a member of the league.

The Vikings finished 2015 with a home record of 4-1.

GHSA ROAD VIKINGS: The Vikings have played 29 games away from George S. Johnson Stadium since joining the GHSA in 2010. FPD holds a 18-14 record on the road in that span.

Altogether, the Vikings are 135-109-2 away from the friendly confines of George S. Johnson Stadium.

BROADCAST: Friday’s rivalry game against Tattnall Square will be audio-cast LIVE on the Viking Sports Radio Network!

*Sources: The Georgia High School Football Historians Association, 13WMAZ, and The Macon Telegraph aided in this report. For more information, contact FPD Sports Information Director Chandler Lee at chandler.lee@fpdmacon.org.